In a recent blog post by Sean Hegarty, he described various data backup strategies for SMB’s and why one needs to review, monitor and test your backups. My focus for this blog post is primarily on Online Data Backup for SMB’s and why you need it. If you want to see more of Sean’s post see it here.

What is Online Data Backup and why you need it?

Online Data Backup (or sometimes known as Cloud Backup, Remote Backup) is the backup of your data from your server or desktop into a data centre over a network connection. For most SMB’s this network connection is usually a standard broadband connection that has limited uploads speeds.

While I am a huge advocate of online data backup, it is my experience that most companies only backup their most critical data online. This is usually their accounts, line of business database, payroll, important files and email. The reason for this is usually due to the limited network connection. There’s only so much data you can push up on an Irish broadband connection!

By backing up only your critical data that does leave you with a requirement to backup other data and system files on your server or desktop to prevent against disaster. I will leave this for now though as on-premise backup is for another blog post in the future.

With Online Data Backup, if you have a major disaster then your most critical data is safe in a data centre waiting for you, and this is why we believe you need it.

Where is my data stored?

Now that you have allowed your most valuable asset outside the four walls of your premises, it is critical that is stored safe and secure in an environment that you trust.

HCS recommends and uses Microsoft data centres to mind your data. If you would like to read more about how Microsoft will mind your data, read here.

It has been our experience when having conversations with prospects on this topic that other IT Service Providers don’t use data centres to store your data. In fact they are backing up your data onto their own servers on their premises. While trust is paramount you really have to ask the question is your data safe?

We don’t take chances with your data, nor do we want to risk any relationship that we have with our customers for the sake of making more profit, that’s why we use Microsoft data centres and trust them to mind your data.

How much does it cost?

You can purchase online data backup in blocks of 50GB costing €35 per month. In the SMB space where HCS primarily operates, it’s our experience that customers will consume either 50GB or 100GB per month. If however you have more than 100GB, the cost per GB will decrease as your data footprint increases.

What to do next?

If you’d like the peace of mind to know your most critical data is safe, contact us today on 051 595200/ 01 8734120 to discuss your requirements. If you mention that you read this blog post on your enquiry then we will give you the first month FREE.